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Special Content


Issue no 36, 07 - 13 December 2024

Highlights of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's 'Mann Ki Baat' EN Team In his Mann Ki Baat broadcast on November 24, 2024, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi shared inspiring stories of youth-led initiatives, praised the nation's efforts towards sustainability, and emphasised the importance of community participation in shaping a brighter future for India. His address called for collective action to strengthen India's growth and progress. Here are the highlights: NCC Day: Shaping Leaders of Tomorrow Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi began his Mann Ki Baat by extending wishes to the National Cadet Corps (NCC) on the occasion of NCC Day (24 November). He reflected on his own days as an NCC cadet, describing how the experience instilled discipline, patriotism, and leadership skills in him. The Prime Minister highlighted the transformative growth of the NCC over the past decade, pointing out that since 2014, its membership has increased from 14 lakh to more than 20 lakh, with girl cadets now constituting almost 40%, a significant rise from 25%. This, he said, symbolises the growing role of women in shaping India's future. PM Modi acknowledged the NCC's contributions during critical times, such as natural calamities and the COVID-19 pandemic. He praised the cadets for their commitment to social service, citing examples of their participation in relief operations and vaccination drives. The Prime Minister emphasised that the NCC is not just about military training but is a comprehensive platform for nation-building and personality development. He also called upon youth from border and coastal areas to actively join the NCC. He urged parents to encourage their children to become part of the NCC, emphasising that the values instilled through this organisation prepare youth not only for the armed forces but also for life. "NCC shapes future leaders," he said, "and it is the foundation of a strong, disciplined, and service-oriented society." Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue: A Visionary Initiative Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi announced the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue, describing it as an unprecedented platform for young minds to contribute to nation-building. Scheduled for January 11-12, 2025, at Bharat Mandapam in Delhi, the dialogue will bring together 2,000 young representatives from across India. These participants, he noted, will include youth from tribal communities, remote villages, and other underrepresented regions, ensuring inclusivity in the discussions. The Prime Minister explained that the event aligns with Swami Vivekananda's teachings on youth empowerment and will serve as a platform for the exchange of ideas, innovation, and policy solutions. "India's youth are the drivers of change," he said, emphasising the transformative potential of their energy and ideas. The dialogue will include interactive sessions with global leaders, policymakers, and subject-matter experts, providing attendees with a chance to gain insights and collaborate on solutions for the country's pressing challenges. PM Modi encouraged young people to actively engage in the dialogue and share their innovative ideas. He highlighted that the event would focus on grassroots innovation, environmental sustainability, and the role of technology in solving everyday problems. Digital Empowerment of the Elderly Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi highlighted the remarkable ways in which India's youth are enabling senior citizens to adapt to the digital world; a step that he said is bridging the generational gap. He praised several inspiring initiatives where young people are helping the elderly navigate the complexities of digital technology. For instance, he mentioned Virendra from Lucknow, who assists pensioners in generating digital life certificates, ensuring that they can receive pensions without unnecessary delays or travel. "These small acts of service," PM Modi said, "demonstrate the power of youth-led initiatives in transforming lives." Another story he shared was about Mahesh from Bhopal, who runs workshops to teach senior citizens how to use digital payment apps. In doing so, Mahesh not only empowers them financially but also fosters their independence in an increasingly digital economy. Similarly, Rajiv from Ahmedabad organises awareness drives on cybercrime, educating elderly citizens about identifying and avoiding online fraud. PM Modi cautioned the elderly to stay vigilant against cyber scams, such as fake calls posing as law enforcement issuing "digital arrest warrants." He emphasised that the youth's role is crucial in creating a secure digital environment while ensuring that their elders are not left behind in the digital revolution. Reviving the Love for Books and Learning Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi highlighted innovative library initiatives that are revitalising learning in communities. He praised the Prakrith Arivagam Library in Chennai, which offers more than 3,000 books along with engaging workshops in topics like robotics, storytelling, and public speaking, making it a hub for young learners. The Food for Thought Foundation in Hyderabad has built colorful libraries for underprivileged children, encouraging a love for reading. Similarly, the Prayog Library in Bihar provides educational resources to 12 surrounding villages, enabling children to expand their learning beyond the curriculum. PM Modi emphasised the significance of fostering a culture of reading in every household, urging citizens to treat books as lifelong companions that inspire critical thinking and creativity. His message was clear: libraries are not just spaces for reading, but for learning, growing, and connecting with the world, shaping minds and empowering individuals for the future. Preserving the Indian Diaspora's Legacy through Oral History Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi reflected on the significant contributions of the Indian diaspora across the globe. He shared his experience from Guyana, where the Indian community, descended from indentured labourers brought 180 years ago, has made remarkable strides in every field-politics, business, education, and culture. Notably, the President of Guyana, Dr. Irfan Ali, of Indian origin, takes pride in his heritage. PM Modi urged citizens to look out for the untold stories of Indian immigrants worldwide, especially how they helped shape their host countries and preserved their Indian roots. He encouraged people to share these stories via the NaMo App or MyGov with the hashtag #IndianDiasporaStories. The PM highlighted a noteworthy Oral History Project in Oman, where many Indian families have resided for centuries, especially those from Kutch, Gujarat. These families played an integral role in creating strong trade connections, and today, they hold Omani citizenship while maintaining deep ties to India. Supported by the Indian Embassy and National Archives of India, the project is collecting thousands of documents, including letters, diaries, and ledgers dating back to 1838. These personal histories reflect the lives, struggles, and triumphs of Indian immigrants in Oman. In India, a similar project is underway to preserve the experiences of Partition survivors. With only a few left to tell their stories, this project has become crucial for documenting a painful chapter of history. PM Modi stressed the importance of collecting these stories, as preserving a nation's history ensures its future. He encouraged citizens to contribute historical manuscripts or documents to the National Archives of India to safeguard the cultural and historical heritage. PM Modi also discussed the efforts abroad to promote Indian culture. He noted the significant achievement in Slovakia, where the Upanishads were translated into the Slovak language for the first time. Such endeavours demonstrate the global influence and appreciation of Indian philosophical and spiritual traditions, with millions worldwide cherishing Indian culture. This, the PM emphasised, is a source of immense pride for the nation, highlighting how India's cultural legacy continues to inspire and resonate globally. 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam': A Record-Breaking Campaign PM Modi took pride in the success of the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign, which achieved a remarkable feat of planting 100 crore trees in just five months. He praised the inclusive nature of the initiative, particularly the Indore plantation drive, where over 12 lakh saplings were planted in one day, and the women-led plantation in Jaisalmer, which saw 25,000 trees planted in an hour. The campaign's success has inspired other nations, like Guyana, to adopt similar environmental efforts. PM Modi emphasised that environmental sustainability is a collective responsibility, and this campaign highlights the power of individual action in driving global climate action. He urged every citizen to take part in such initiatives, demonstrating how small contributions can lead to massive, positive change in the fight against climate change. Reviving the Sparrow Population Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi spoke nostalgically about sparrows, which were once a common sight on rooftops and trees. These small birds, known as Kuruvi in Tamil and Pichhuka in Telugu, have played an essential role in maintaining biodiversity. However, due to increasing urbanisation, sparrows are now hardly visible in cities, and many children today have only seen them in pictures or videos. PM Modi highlighted a commendable initiative by the Kudugal Trust in Chennai, which is working with schoolchildren to reintroduce sparrows into urban environments. The trust educates children about the importance of sparrows and teaches them how to build wooden nests for the birds, which can be placed on building walls or trees. The PM emphasised that such efforts not only teach children about nature but also help restore the vital presence of sparrows in our cities. Lending Momentum to Swachhata Abhiyan Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi emphasised the importance of Swachhata Abhiyan by highlighting the image many have of government offices-piles of neglected, dust-covered files-and how this stereotype has been the subject of jokes for years. However, PM Modi shared that a special Swachhata Abhiyan has yielded impressive results, freeing up valuable office space and instilling a sense of ownership among government employees about maintaining cleanliness in their workplaces. The Prime Minister also touched on the age-old Indian concept of 'waste to wealth,' applauding the efforts of young innovators across the country. He mentioned the inspiring work of Akshara and Prakriti from Mumbai, who are turning fabric scraps into fashionable items like caps and bags. He also praised the 'Kanpur Ploggers Group,' who are cleaning the banks of the river Ganga while promoting sustainable practices by turning waste into tree guards. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi pointed to individuals like Iitisha from Arunachal Pradesh, who is tackling plastic waste in the Sangti Valley, highlighting that these local initiatives play a crucial role in pushing the Swachhata Abhiyan forward. He encouraged citizens to contribute to this ongoing campaign and share such efforts, further strengthening the movement. (Source: pmindia.gov.in)